Today, we’re introducing the Facebook Live API, a new way for developers and publishers to join forces to build immersive and interactive live video experiences on Facebook. With the Live API, media organizations can seamlessly incorporate Live into their existing broadcast setup and also create new ways to interact with their viewers. The Live API also makes it possible for device manufacturers to integrate Live directly into their latest video products.

In the short time since we’ve rolled out Facebook Live to people and publishers around the world, we’ve seen incredible adoption, creativity and engagement. Media organizations are inventing new formats on Facebook and experimenting with ways to create more engaging experiences with their audiences. We’ve been inspired by the innovation we’ve seen so far, and we know it’s only the beginning.

How to get started with the Live API

Publishers can get started with the Live API by contacting one of our Media Solutions partners. These partners have built video production, editing, and streaming products that publish directly to Facebook Live and bring live video to life with features like camera switching, instant replay, on-screen graphics and special effects. Publishers with verified pages can also go live via Publishing Tools.

Developers can learn how to integrate directly with Facebook Live using the Live API Documentation. The Go Live Dialog makes it particularly easy to get started. If you’re a developer and would like to integrate Facebook Live directly with your app or device, sign up to request access.

Here are a few of the ways you can use the Live API:

1) Stream video from more than just your smartphoneThe Live API lets you build video streams that mix multiple video and audio sources and introduce special effects. These can also include programmatic sources like games or screencasts.

Fox Sports used Grabyo to generate “live instant replay” video clips from a Facebook Live broadcast while it was still in progress.

2) Create new ways to interact with viewers
When you combine the Live API with Facebook’s Graph API, you gain access to your live video’s comments, reactions, and mentions. You can use this information to reflect viewer engagement in real time and create on-screen graphics that show live poll results, analyze comments, and enable comment moderation.

CNN worked with Telescope’s Live Studio to bring comments directly into a Facebook Live video.

3) Go live from a standalone camera, or even a drone
The Live API can enable spectacular live videos through seamless hardware integrations. Hardware manufacturers can integrate with the Live API to let people go live directly from their devices.

Tastemade has used Livestream’s Mevo camera, which lets people go live on Facebook with just one tap, simulating multiple HD cameras with a single stationary 4K camera.

Photographer Trey Ratcliff is using the DJI Phantom 4 to start a live travel and aerial photography show on Facebook. The DJI GO app will let pilots go live on Facebook, narrate the show, and see comments from viewers right from their phone or tablet.